A design fee can cover very different work. A polished image for an internal presentation does not necessarily give a buyer an editable production file or permission to ask another factory to manufacture the design. State the business use first, then ask what deliverables and permissions are included.
Separate the decision image from the production information
For an internal selection, a rendered view may be enough to compare appearance. A supplier coordinating manufacture may need approved dimensions, interfaces and construction information. Ask which of these the commissioned service will actually deliver, in which file format and at which stage.
The Ribbed Bamboo Sideboard Cabinet has rounded ends, continuous vertical ribbing and concealed door divisions. A front rendering can communicate that appearance while leaving the curved-end construction and door arrangement unresolved. Do not treat an attractive view of this design as a complete manufacturing package.
Describe the intended use of each file
The WIPO explanation of assignment and licensing distinguishes transfer of ownership from permission to use intellectual property. A procurement brief should therefore ask separately about receiving a file and the activities permitted with it. This checklist does not determine who owns a design or replace advice on the actual agreement.
List internal presentations, consultant coordination, tender circulation, manufacture, later modifications and marketing as separate intended uses where relevant. Identify the recipient organizations and whether editable files are required. Ask the provider to identify any third-party material whose use needs separate confirmation.
| Output or use | Question to settle | Completion record |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation image | Which views and resolution are included? | Agreed images delivered |
| Approval drawing | Which dimensions and interfaces are covered? | Revision and unresolved items |
| Editable file | Which format, dependencies and recipient? | Openability checked; file register |
| Use permission | Which activities and organizations are permitted? | Written scope reviewed by the responsible adviser |
| Further changes | Included rounds and approval for extra work? | Consolidated decision and change record |
Agree a review path and a practical completion test
Specify the number or scope of included review rounds without assuming that unlimited changes are covered. Define what counts as a new direction, who consolidates comments and how additional work is approved. A dated issue register helps distinguish an abandoned concept from the accepted deliverable.
For each promised file, confirm that it opens in the agreed software or format, has the correct project and revision, and contains the agreed views or information. Record remaining omissions. File receipt, technical approval and permission to manufacture should have separate entries rather than one “design complete” tick.
Record what happens if production or the supplier changes
Before commissioning, ask what files will be supplied if the furniture order does not proceed, whether any design-fee credit is offered and how it is documented, and what further permission would be needed to use another manufacturer. These are questions for agreement, not automatic buyer rights.
Send a design-scope enquiry with the product direction, intended outputs, proposed recipients and desired uses. Once the scope is agreed, the drawing revision checklist can organize later changes without confusing an updated drawing with expanded use permission.